Combined envelope and letter sheet



May l5,v

1934. P. J. IHLING 1,958,755

COMBINED ENVELOPE AND LETTER SHEET Filed April 8, 1933 IZ l huw Vm Mund/:Ulli

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented May 15, 1934 YUNITED STATES PAri-:Nr OFFICE 4 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a combined envelope and letter sheet of improved construction.

Second, to provide a device of this character having a central section adapted to receive a communication on one side and be folded on itself to provide front and rear envelope walls with the communication on the inner side, the address being on the outer side vof one of the envelope walls.

Third, to provide an inner end section or `card connected to one end of said central section by a perforated or weakened line and adapted to be folded on said line between the envelope parts for mailing and torn therefrom upon receipt.

Fourth, to provide an outer end portion connected to the outer end of said central portion by a folding line and consisting of a closure flap adapted to be folded upon the folded central portion and a memorandum portion or stub attached to said fiap by a perforated or weakened line and adapted to be torn therefrom before folding and mailing the envelope.

Fifth, to provide means for holding the parts in folded relation associated with said flap and the address half or section of said central portion.

Sixth, to provide a mailing device having the above desirable features and characteristics which is simple and economical and easy to print, fold, seal and open.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and point-ed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of the inner side of the combined envelope and letter sheet embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet partially folded, the memorandum card or stub having been detached from the flap.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the folded and sealed envelope ready for mailing.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section on a line corresponding to line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a partially folded modification of my invention.

Referring to the embodiment of my invention illustrated by Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawing, 1 in general represents a sheet of suitable stock, preferably light cardboard or paper substantially heavier than ordinary writing paper. The sheet comprises a central portion 2, an inner or lower end portion 3, and an upper or outer end portion 4.

The central portion is adapted to receive a communication indicated at 5 on one side thereof and be folded on itself along the central folding line 6 with the communication on the inner side. The outer side of one of thesections 7 of the central portion is adapted to receive the mailing address indicated at 8. The section receiving the address is provided with a cross or diagonal slit 9 in the left-hand corner thereof.

The inner or lower end portion 3 is connected to the central portion 2 by the weakened or perforated line 10 so that the portion 3 may be folded between the halves of the central portion for mailing purposes and torn therefrom upon receipt of the letter. The illustrated portion 3 is in the form of a card such' as a lodge card and contains appropriate credentials for the holder.

The upper end portion 4 is connected to the central portion by the folding line 11 and consists of a ap 12 adapted to be folded over the address section 7 of the central portion and a memorandum portion or stub 13. The memorandum stub 13 is connected to the ap 12 by the perforated or weakened line 14 so that it may be torn therefrom before folding the parts to form the mailing envelope 15 as illustrated by Fig. 3. The stub 13 contains appropriate blanks for recording the matter transmitted by the communication and contained in the card 3.

The left-hand side of the flap 12 is cut out at 16 to provide the tongue 17 when the memorandum stud 13 is torn from the flap 12. After the parts are folded, the tongue 17 is inserted in the slit 9 and acts to hold the parts in folded relation at the left-hand side of the envelope. upper right-hand corner of the envelope is adapted to receive the postage stamp 18 which is pasted in overlapping relation on the flap 12 and the address section 7 of the letter portion 2. The stamp and tongue provide an effective lock which prevents the opening of the letter without breaking the seal provided by the stamp.

In use, the sender lls out the blanks in the card 3 and the memorandum card or stub 4 and then tears the flap 12 from the memorandum card 4 along the perforated line 14. The sheet is then folded beginning with the card 3 along the weakened line 10 along the folding line 6 and finally along the folding line 11. The tongue 17 is thereupon inserted in the slot 9 and the The l9 postage stamp 18 pasted on the flap and section '7 as illustrated by Fig. 3. Upon receipt of the letter, the addressee breaks the seal provided by the stamp by inserting a linger under the ap 12, which allows the tongue 17 to be withdrawn from the slit 9 and the envelope opened. The addressee may then detach the card 3, the part to be preserved, from the letter portion 2.

In the .modification illustrated by Figli, the iiap 22 is provided with cut out portions .26 and 28 forming the tongue 27 for insertion in the slit 19 in the manner described above in connection with Figs. l to 4, inclusive. Otherwise, the structure of the modification is substantially similar to that of the preferred form Aof the invention.

My improvement is extremely simple and economical inasmuch as it obviates the use of a conventional envelope separate from the letter and card 3.

The memorandum card or stub is a particular- ,ly desirable feature inasmuch as :it is printed with the combined envelope and letter sheet and pro- `vides ,means for rconveniently recordingr the 4data communicated by the letter. My method of folding the sheet is aiso very convenient. The means for holding the parts in folded relation provides claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A combined envelope and .letter sheet comprising a central section foldable upon itself to provide front and rear envelope walls, a bottom r v l.

section foldable between said walls and having a scored connection with the central section facilitating detaching, and a top section scored to provide a detachable stub and a closure iiap foldable upon the front wall to receive a portion of a stamp aixed to the front wall and having a notch at one end providing a retaining tongue when the detachable stub is removed, the front wall :having a slit to receive said tongue', the tongue 'coacting with the 'sta-mp for ,retaining the closure flap.

2. A combined envelope-and letter sheet comprising a central section foldable upon itself providing front and rear envelope walls, a detachable section 'at one end ol'dable between said walls, and a closure nap at the other end foldable upon one of said walls, said closure flap having a deta'chable stub extension and being notched at one end to provide a tongue when the stub is removed, the wall upon which the closure flap is lapped having -a slit receiving said tongue.

3. A combined envelope and letter sheet comprising a central section .foldable upon itself to provide front and rear envelope walls, a detachable bottom section fold-able between said walls, and a top section comprising anV outer detachable stub and a closure flap foldable upon the front wall and having a `notchat one end providing a retain-ing tongue when the detachable stub is removed, the front wall having a slit to receive said tongue.

4. A combined envelope and letter sheet comprising a central section foldable lupon itself providing front and rear envelope walls, a detachable section at one -end folda'ble between said walls, anda closure flap at the other end fold'able upon one of said walls, said Aclosure flap `having a detach-able stub extension and conformed to provide a tongue when the stub is removed, the wall upon which the Vclosure nap is lapped having a slit receiving said tongue.

- PAUL J. IHLING. 

